Bishop defends marriage, says laws must stem from reason, not feelings or emotions

Santiago, Chile, Aug 4, 2010 / 01:51 pm (CNA).- This week, Auxiliary Bishop Fernando Chomali of Santiago spoke up in defense of marriage and remarked that all laws must be founded in reason, according to the truth about man.

The bishop made his statements after Chilean Senator Fulvio Rossi announced his plans to introduce legislation that would permit same-sex “marriage.”

Bishop Chomali underscored that public policies ought to ensure the good of the country and must conform to the truth about man. For this reason, he continued, politicians must reflect on the meaning of humanity and on man’s deepest longings.

“Public policies must stem from reason and not feelings, emotions or the opinions of the day. They must not be subjected to the latest fad or what is taking place in other countries,” he added.

Public policy cannot be tailored to suit merely the needs of minority groups or special situations, the bishop continued. Proponents of same-sex “marriage” are “saying that in the end, getting married and staying married is irrelevant and that lawmakers must simply rubber-stamp whatever personal desires people have and grant them legal status,” he said. This is an erroneous view of the human person and of the purpose of legislation, he warned.

Bishop Chomali went on to say that altering the institution of marriage in order to satisfy the demand for rights is wrong, arguing that there would be no end to the different scenarios that could be conceived. “Should each and every situation be given legal stature? Why can’t we recognize that we already have legal solutions for non-marital unions?” the bishop asked.

“The law cannot address all of these different scenarios to the point of denying its own reason for existence, which is to watch over the common good,” he continued. “Today more than ever, what we need is conceptual clarity and profound reflection on which direction we wish our beloved country to take,” the bishop said.

He called on lawmakers to consider the consequences and reflect on what they want for their own children. “Those who promote these laws impoverish the efforts of thousands of parents who day in and day out teach their children with their testimony and life of sacrifice, the value of marriage and fidelity,” he added.